Following the vote by Emmaus Borough Council Jan. 15 to purchase the Rodale, Inc. property, council member Jeff Shubzda told The Press why he voted against the purchase.

"I came into the meeting 50/50," Shubzda said. "I wanted to hear what the public had to say."

Shubzda said he just finished a move with his business and has experienced renovating a space. "I know what's involved."

He said he was concerned about where council would get the money to renovate and concerned about selling property to get that money.

Shubzda said he was hoping to put the decision off until the Jan. 19 council meeting so he could break down the numbers.

Following the meeting, Borough Manager Shane Pepe also provided comments to The Press.

"Over the past several years, borough council has concentrated efforts on improving our building infrastructure, increasing the efficiency of our operations and the security of our employees," Pepe said.

"In discussions and upon learning the Rodale building was for sale, council decided to investigate the feasibility of making improvements to our current buildings versus the idea of consolidating all services into a single building.

"Council hired an architecture and engineering firm to conduct a study of the building that included the feasibility and costs to move operations as opposed to improving the current buildings. Council felt the study was thorough and intriguing enough to hire Feinberg Real Estate to negotiate a possible purchase if they were to vote to do so.

"At the conclusion of the meeting, council as a whole voted in favor of moving forward with the purchase of a building that ultimately has the potential to centralize all governmental operations into a single complex.

"I believe council members voted based on the facts that were presented to them as well as their visions for the future of the borough."